Mary Dahl, the queen of the BeeHive home she resided in for the last years of her life, was known for dispensing the wisdom she gleaned over the 102 years that she lived on this Earth.
Mary grew up in a simpler time and her life was rich despite meager beginnings. She was famous for educating all of the BeeHive cooks on how to cook like she did, but Mary could also tell you about riding to school on a horse and crossing a creek before she got to school. She could tell you about living through the Great Depression and World War II. She could tell you about the manned space flight to the moon and the assassination of President Kennedy.
Mary Yob Dahl was born on July 11, 1914 in Yankee, NM to Remigio Yob and Maria Bertol Yob, who were immigrants from Tyrol, Austria. Mary was the oldest of five children, with three sisters, Modesta, Alma and Erma, and one brother, Davis.
When Mary was nine, the family made their way to Dawson, where Mary grew up and eventually married Louis Skender. They had one daughter, Geraldine “Geri” Skender Gooden.
After Louis’s death in a hunting accident when Geri was two years old, Mary later met Ed Dahl, who she married on July 1, 1946. They had two daughters, Karen and Treva Mary, who they raised with Geri in Raton, NM.
Mary and Ed lived in Raton for 57 years until they moved to be closer to their children and grandchildren in Albuquerque in 2008. Ed and Mary were married for 64 years until Ed’s death in 2010.
Mary was a homemaker and a seamstress. Her life was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. She taught her children how to live a full happy life without the benefit of lots of money. She instilled in us traditions, frugality and faith. She was known for her delicious foods – most notable her polenta and meat sauce and her baked goods. Her grandchildren looked forward to spending time with her in the summer because they were allowed to eat all of her delicious homemade treats. She also spent time teaching them to can and freeze all of the amazing produce that came from her bountiful garden and numerous fruit trees.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Remigio and Maria Yob; her sisters, Modesta Yob and Alma Yob Ghighlieri; her brother, Davis Yob; her first husband, Louis Skender; her daughter, Treva Mary Dahl Adlof, and her second husband, Ed Dahl.
She is survived by her daughters, Geri Skender Gooden, Karen Dahl Johnson, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Mary’s death isn’t a time to mourn. We can picture Mary in Heaven with an apron on, cooking in God’s kitchen – homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove, the smell of homemade bread wafting from the oven, and a freshly baked apricot pie on the counter. She will forever be in our hearts through our traditions and our cooking. We love you, our mom, Noni, Grandma, Great-Noni and Great-Great Noni.
A visitation will be held Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 11:30 a.m. and a Mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 105 Buena Vista Street, Raton, NM 87740. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Raton, NM.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mary’s name to Holy Ghost Catholic School, 6201 Ross Avenue SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, or to Strong Marriages, www.strongmarriages.com/give.aspx, or 5999 Summerside Drive, Ste. 106, Dallas, Texas 75252.
FRENCH – Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
French Funerals & Cremations
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Phone: 505-897-0300
